Scientists seek help naming Pluto's moons

Posted on Tuesday, 12 February, 2013 | Comment icon

Image credit: NASA

Astronomers have discovered two new moons around the distant dwarf planet within the last two years.

The discoveries were made during observations designed to check that the way was clear for the New Horizons probe which is scheduled to reach Pluto in 2015. Currently nicknamed "P4" and "P5", the two new moons might not be very large ( 15 to 20 miles across ) but they do need new names. The astronomical teams behind their discovery has decided to let the public help pick what to call them.

12 potential names have been suggested, all of which based around Greek or Roman mythological figures connected to the underworld. The options available on the "Pluto Rocks" project website are Acheron, Alecto, Cerberus, Erebus, Eurydice, Heracles, Hypnos, Lethe, Obol, Orpheus, Persephone and Styx.

The discoverers of Pluto's fourth and fifth moons are letting Internet users have a say in what they should be named, by throwing the question open for a non-binding advisory vote.

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Source: NBC News

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Recent comments on this story

#27 Posted by King Cobra 1408 on 16 February, 2013, 0:40

what about Poseidon the Greek god of the sea and ocean and Hermes messenger of the gods?anyway that's awsome that two new moons were discovered for Pluto:)Pluto is a planet guys just because it's small and does not have a atmosphere like earth or mars and etc does not mean it's not a planet or just because its cold and far away.in my opinion Pluto will always be a planet and should be as well.as for the names what about King Reaper 408 and King Cobra 1408 after all they are just names lol

#28 Posted by Hazzard on 16 February, 2013, 9:53

#29 Posted by -M7 on 16 February, 2013, 19:19

Name game.

#30 Posted by Lava_Lady on 16 February, 2013, 23:06

Cesar & Monty :)

#31 Posted by bloodworld on 18 February, 2013, 1:25

what about Bill and Ted ( movie ) lol ! XD!

#32 Posted by skookum on 20 February, 2013, 10:19

Zig and Zag. R2D2 and C3PO

#33 Posted by Waspie_Dwarf on 21 February, 2013, 19:01

#34 Posted by Taun on 21 February, 2013, 19:47

Vulcan is also the name of the Roman God (Hephaestus to the Greeks)... So that would be in keeping with the Greco-Roman name pattern that most of the bodies in our system have... (still like Sneezy and Grumpy better)

#35 Posted by Lord Vetinari on 21 February, 2013, 20:08

So will Vulcan be P4 or P5? I'd like to see one called Gallifrey, if we're going to go with this theme. Or even better,how about Skaro.

#36 Posted by seeder on 26 February, 2013, 22:06

And VULCAN is the winner!! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2284638/Plutos-newest-moon-set-named-Vulcan-Star-Trek-fans-win-online-naming-contest-backed-William-Shatner-Leonard-Nimoy.html

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